Progressively movable holding device

Abstract

The progressively movable holding device comprises two link plate chains (2, 3) which can be separately tightened and loosened in respect to each other and to the workpiece (1) they hold and which are guided by articulated adjusting members (4) at movable distance from each other, wherein the link plate chains (2, 3) are constructed in a mechanical assembly technique easily adaptable to the dimensions of the workpieces (1) by changing the numbers of link plates (5, 6) and which also allow the circulation on a rail section (26) integrally formed on one of the link plate chains (2, 3) of a bracket-type carriage (10) which can serve both as working platform and as implement carrier, for instance, for sandblast pistols. By means of a control and locking device and energy supply designed according to the task to be performed, the holding device can be reversed progressively and by remote control across its main direction and is also easily adaptable to changes in the contour of the workpiece.

I claim: 
     
       1. A progressively movable holding device (2, 3) especially utilizable as tool or implement carrier (10) for treatment and/or inspection processes or workpieces (1) of larger or extended surfaces or of difficult access such as cast-iron pipes, having a number, adjustable to a predetermined processing length, of variably movable individual elements supported against the surface or contour of said workpiece (1),   upon which elements both said holding device (2, 3) itself and said tool or implement carrier (10) are separately transportable by remote control to alternating working positions;   wherein tightening elements (4, 12) actuatable by auxiliary energy provide for progressive movement from one working position to the next,   and said tool carrier (10) is conveyable along said individual elements, characterized in that   said individual elements consist of link plates (5, 6) retained together in releasable hinges and joined together to form two link chains (2, 3) at variable distance,   said link plates (5, 6) are each separately held at a constant distance in respect to said workpiece,   being themselves directly designed as double rails (26) for said tool or implement carrier (10) movable therealong and   there being provided for progressive movement a partly transitory loosening and retightening of at least a few link plates (5, 6) by means of peripheral tightening elements (4, 32) actuatable by remote control.   
     
     
       2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that two link chains (2, 3) guided in parallel can also be limitedly movably guided in respect to each other across their main direction both by interlocking guiding tongues (7) on the sides facing each other of said link plates (5, 6) and by corresponding articulated adjusting members (4); and   for their advance, said articulated adjusting members (4) can be stretched or pushed in transverse direction relative to said workpiece (1) and also to the respective adjacent link chain (2 or 3) retained by tightening and supporting elements (21 and 32).   
     
     
       3. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said link plate chains (2 or 3) is designed on the surface or edge of the individual link plates (5, 6) remote from said workpiece (1) as part of a rail (26), whereby after reaching a working position a closed rail for rollers (9) of said bracket-type carriage (10) results on the whole width or on the whole periphery thereof. 
     
     
       4. A device according to claim 1 characterized in that each one of said link chains (2, 3) can be blocked or loosened in respect to said workpiece (1) by locking or tightening means (32, 27, 28) of its own, which in the normal case is controlled and can only be alternately loosened via a common locking system (34, 35). 
     
     
       5. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that said link chains (2, 3) are interconnected by means of articulated adjusting members (4) at variable distance; and   each link chain (5, 6) is alone separately movable with limited distance, only after loosening the locking and tightening means (4, 21, 32, 39, 40, 41) under lift limitation and parallel guidance, by corresponding guiding tongues (7) in respect to the other link chain (2 or 3) that is locked in the tme.   
     
     
       6. A device according to claim 3, characterized in that said bracket-type carriage (10) is itself also actuatable by remote control via its own driving engine (11), which in addition is secured in respect to said locking and tightening means (4, 21, 32, 39, 40, 41) by a control and locking system (34, 35) and allows a traveling operation only when a working position has been reached by means of said articulated adjusting member (4) and a safety blocking results. 
     
     
       7. A device according to claim 6, characterized in that said driving engine (11) has, inserted in said bracket-type carriage (10), hydromotors which mesh, each one with a pinion (12), in a sprocket wheel (13) which stresses said link chains (2, 3) in their main direction and is lockable in working position. 
     
     
       8. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that said locking and tightening means (4, 21, 32, 39, 40, 41) act upon ropes or chains (39) which jointly shift said workpiece (1) and said link chains (2, 3) or press said link plates (5, 6) against said workpiece (1). 
     
     
       9. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that clamping elements are provided between said link plates (5, 6) and said workpiece (1) or said link plates (5, 6) themselves are designed as clamping elements with lever or eccentric mechanisms for reinforcement of contact pressure in the working position. 
     
     
       10. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that said link plates (5, 6) are guided and held by guiding tongues (7) that extend respectively in an inner space of said opposite link plate (5 or 6), at a distance with narrowly limited axial movement in respect to each other but remain transversely movable to a greater extent in respect to the main axis of said link plate chain (2, 3). 
     
     
       11. A device according to claim 10, characterized in that between said guiding tongues (7) some link plates (5 or 6) have fluid drums designed as articulated adjusting members (4) while the base end is connected with limited flexiblity with one link plate chain (5, 6) and the piston rod end (21) thereof with said other link plate (5 or 6). 
     
     
       12. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that on the individual link plates (5, 6) fishplates (8) secured at variable distance are present in direction of the main axis of said link chain (2, 3) as hinges the spacings and cross bores of which correspond with other fishplates (8) on the adjacent link plates (5 or 6) and together with insert bolts form releasable hinges. 
     
     
       13. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that said bracket-type carriage (10) carries along in addition at least one control part for the control and locking means (11, 34, 35, 36). 
     
     
       14. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that a tightening device (32) for the ropes or chains (39) is integrated as a specially designed link plate (5, 6) in said link chain (2, 3) which has thereon on one side a firm rope anchorage (41) of one of the rope ends (39) and on the other a rope winder device (32) re-adjustable by energy adjusting member or lever for a loose rope end (39). 
     
     
       15. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that said tightening devices (4, 32) are activatable via electrohydraulic control members (34, 35, 36) while the connection to an energy source and control station (37) consists of only one central composed cable (17) of long-distance connection, which ends in said bracket-type carriage (10) from which individual tightening devices (4, 32) can be fed via short separate hoses. 
     
     
       16. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that a hydraulic unit (37) is directly built on said bracket-type carriage (10), and the whole device is controlled via a remote-control cable (17), which likewise ends in said bracket-type carriage (10).